The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-09-28
SALT LAKE CITY UTAH WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 90 1887

the Merchants Exchange were thrown
open for the soldiers and their friends
who were vending their way to the re-
eeptlon rendered by the citizens OF 81.
Louis. The immense chamber was
profusely decorated with bunting, flags
and stripes and streamers hanging
| gracefully from the balconies. A great
| banner welcomed the boys OF
| 81. A fountain in the middle of the
hall, filled with flowers and surrounded
by tropical plants dashilg jets OF
water, separated great masses of people
who filled the hall long before the hour
set for the welcome address. The band
dlscoursed stirring airs, while the
crowd awaited the coming of the
speakers. At o'clock, Mayor Francis,
accompanied by the war governors and
other distinguished guests, entered the
hall and took places on the platform.
A few minutes later, General Sherman
quietly entered, accompanied by two
friends. and succeeded in getting
almost on the platform before
he was discovered by the veterans
Then shout went up and rousing
cheers for the General, who was given
an armchair on the front of the plat
form near the speakers rostrum. His
presence seemed to be the signal for the
beginning of the evenings programme,
and 4 900 upturned faces gathered near
the platform.
Mayor Francis arose and turning
toward General Fairchild, extended a
hearty welcome to the 6. A. K. He
called the Cummander-in-Ch Chiefs atten-
ton to the fact that not only comrades
IN arms but working tremendously side
by side were many who quarter of a
century ago were arraigned against
them in civil strife.
General Fairchid replied to the
cordial greeting by the assurance that
when the invitation was accepted it
was with the belief that st. Louis
would do just as she had done-there
was not moment when the mem bers
of the G. A. K. doubted the hospitaole
reception they were TO receive. or a
moment that they ever thought of not
coming here. They had come with q
heart full of respect and love for the
city and citizens, and they should leave
with feelings of love and pleasure.
To the men who wore the gray, he
could say they met them with feelings
of love and confidence and esteem, and
lowship. The G. A. r. did not dig up
the hatchtt or wave the bloody shirt.
There never had been, from 1861
to the present time, among the
comrades a thought or feeling of
malice to the south. Here, tonight,
were given words of welcome, which
would spread out through the land,
and when the Grand Army goes home,
they will have to leave behind large
portion of their hearts.
AS his voice died out, the call for
General Sherman was followed by
dozen more, and then food of cheers.
but they apparently fell on deaf ears,
for though looking over the sea of face.
the general gave no sign of response,
and Mayor Francis seized the oppor-
tunity of the lull to introduce ex vice
President Hannibal Hamlin, a gray
haired old man, who was greeted with
storm of applause, and during short
and eloquent address, was frequently
interrupted by loud and prolonged
cheers.
Governor Ogelsby, of Illinois, kept up
the enthusiasm by jocular assault on
General Sherman for not responding
to the repeated calls.
AS he retired the name of Sherman
flew from mouth to mouth, and an
ovation greeted Uncle Billy" as he
arose to answer the call. He said when
he was once a soldier he had an old
trick of Sc nding brigadier to the head
place and he thought Governor Ogelsby
good substitute. In abiding to the
war, he said he had many friends on
the other side. He then thought they
were in error; now be knew they were
in error. He believed they were be-
coming convinced of this themselves;
and at any rate they were returning to
that old friendship sounding ever
nearer. There were some black sheep,
he knew, but they would not be here
too long. They would soon die off,
thank God, and then this would be
better and a stronger nation. He be-
lIeved this was the strongest nation on
the earth, for he had concluded that
no other power could ever have over
come such a formidable rebellion. and
he looked with pride upon the flag that
commands peace and enforoes it. Be-
fore him were forces of soldiers.
They still live and their spirits will
live forever, for they would teach
their children and generations to come
principles that must rule the land. If
the Cons titution must be improved, the
defect must be pointed out, but not
destroyed by civil war. He sometimes
heartless, when he sent them into battle,
knowing many he would never see
again, but he knew what the penalty
had been and pAace had to be dearly
bought. He repeated Mayor Francis
welcome to st. Louis and emphasized
his feeling that the Union senti-
ments of the Mayor were good
enough for him. morrow, he said,
the boys would show their apprecia-
ton of the welcome by grand parade.
and at 10 o'clock they would march,
rain or shine, for such had been the
order from the COMMUNICATIVE Chief.
In the burst of applause that fol-
lowed, General Sherman found an OPP
portunity to retire, and as the echo died
out the bands struck up, Marching
through Georgia"
The veterans quickly caught the tune,
and 4, 900 voices rent the air again and
again, until the hall was filed with their
chorus.
Governor Thayer, OF Nebraska; Gen
eral Sprague of Rhode Island Governor
Solomon, of California, and other hon
ored guests made speeches. and the
evenings reception closed with three
rousing cheers.